Women’s Asian Cup: ‘resilient’ China do not fear hosts Australia, Japan smash Philippines
Holders meet Australia at 60,000-capacity Perth Stadium in Tuesday’s semi-final, while Japan will face South Korea in Sydney on Wednesday.
China coach Ante Milicic declared his team has no fear of facing hosts Australia in front of a big crowd in their Women’s Asian Cup semi-final, calling them “resilient and patriotic”, as ruthless Japan crushed the Philippines 7-0 on Sunday to book their spot against South Korea.
Japan’s dominant victory at Stadium Australia in Sydney keeps their bid for a third continental title on track and ensures they will be at a 10th consecutive World Cup in Brazil next year.
Japan are the only Asian country to have won the World Cup, in 2011. They were runners-up four years later.
Currently ranked eighth, the highest at the Asian Cup, they were a class above with two goals within three minutes late in the first half opening the floodgates.